Liza Maza resigns from National Anti-Poverty Commission

MANILA, Philippines — National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) lead convenor Liza Maza resigned from her post yesterday because of what she described as the “anti-poor” and “militaristic” decision of President Duterte to cancel the peace talks with communists.

Maza, one of the leftist leaders given Cabinet posts, said she could no longer work with the administration because of attacks by “anti-reform, rightist and militarist forces” that undermine her leadership.

She tendered her irrevocable resignation yesterday as NAPC secretary and lead convenor.

“The main reason for my resignation is President Duterte’s cancelation of the peace talks between the government and the NDF (National Democratic Front) that he announced on Aug. 14. It dashed my remaining hopes that the peace talks will lead to meaningful socioeconomic and political reforms that will end poverty and conflict in the country,” she said.

Duterte has canceled the peace talks supposed to be held last June, saying he would like to study the agreements signed by his predecessors with the communists.

Maza said the cancelation of peace negotiations reflects the “anti-reform and anti-poor” policies of the administration.

Malacañang expressed regret over Maza’s resignation.

“We regret when people who enjoy the trust and confidence of the President leave their post,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said.

“I don’t know why she had to connect the peace talks with her work in the NAPC. It would have been a perfect opportunity for the left to show that they can lead, and of course, the NAPC is an important office in government,” he added.

Roque said contrary to Maza’s claim, the peace talks with the communists would continue on a local level.

The President has not chosen Maza’s replacement.

She claimed that some “reactionary forces” wanted her out of the NAPC.

She said she would continue fighting for genuine agrarian reform, national industrialization and economic reforms.

Maza resigned days after a Nueva Ecija court dismissed the murder charges against her, former agrarian reform secretary Rafael Mariano and former Bayan Muna party-list representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño for lack of evidence.

The four were linked to the killing of three supporters of the Akbayan party-list in Nueva Ecija in 2001 and 2004. They have denied involvement in the murders.

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